Railway coupler butt end and follower



March 3', 1 959 L. EQFURNISs RAILWAY COUPLER BUTT END AND FQLLOWER I 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb; 10, 1956 56 \izg I v --E VK Q INVENTOR 40,655zvwn/fivkw/ss,

BY fiwgf March 3, 1959 L. E. FuRNlss ,9

RAILWAY COUPLER BUTT END AND FOLLOWER Filed Feb. 10, 1956 V ashets-sneet 2 llllli ATTORNEY INVENTOR March 3, 1959 L. E. 'FURNISSRAILWAY COUPLER BUTT END AND FOLLOWER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 10,1956 INVENTOR v ATTORNEY W w n BU u v .x 9 D I. U Nu m W fl A. v w 1 m g1 W Q 0. km man J i D I mvm W, q I m w 0 N W Lf I If Q R I. WN Q9 hhl Fdirections.

United rates Patent Loree Elwyn Furniss, Groveport, Ohio, assiguor toThe Buckeye Steel Castings Company, Columbus, Ohio Application February10, 1956, Serial No. 564,819

15 Claims. (Cl. 213-72) The present invention relates to the structureof the butt end of the stem of a railway coupler and to theconfiguration of the forward face of the front follower of a draftrigging for cooperation with the rear end of the coupler stem and theinvention has utility in connection with railway couplers and appliancestherefor and particularly those of the interlocking type used in freightservice.

The interchange requirements of the Association of American Railroadsallow a difference of three inches in coupler heights between empty andloaded freight cars. The butt end construction of interlocking couplersfor freight service now in' use and cooperating portions of the frontfollower and the coupler carrier have been such as to maintain a couplercarried by a fully loaded car within the prescribed limit of the couplercarried by an empty or unloaded vehicle. The impact created in thecoupling of railway cars equipped with a prior type of couplers whenhorizontally displaced to such an extent develops resultant forces whichare directed in undesired The momentum'of one car moving into a couplingposition with another produces a resultant force which is directeddownwardly on the loaded car body and a resultant force which isdirected upwardly on the empty or. unloaded vehicle body. When thekinetic energy dissipated in the coupling operation is great enough theresultant force applied to the empty car lifts the vehicle body off itstruck. The lifting action is restricted only when the couplers engagethe boundaryof the striker openings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the butt end of thestem of a railway coupler with a shape for cooperation with an improvedfront follower so that in the mating of a coupler carried by a fullyloaded vehicle with a coupler carried by an unloaded vehicletheresultant forces developed are in reverse directions with respect toprior coupler assemblies so that a resultant force acting on the emptycar body structure is directed downwardly thus preventing the lifting ofthe car body and avoiding the possibility of the railway vehicle bodybeing lifted from its truck. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide the rear end of acoupler stem and its cooperating follower with such a shape that theresultant force developed in the draft rigging during a couplingoperation is such that a downward force is developed on the sillstructures of the car body arranged at the highest level While anupwardly directed resultant force is developed in the draft attachmentof the vehicle bodyarranged at a lower level and at the same time toretain the retarding characteristics against horizontal swivel of thecoupler stem beyond prescribed limits.

A further object of the invention is to provide a forward face on thefront follower of a railway draft rig:

ging which is adapted to be engaged by a generally transverse conicalsurface on the butt end of the coupler stem after predetermined freeangling of the coupler in any direction and the assembly thereafterresiliently retards swiveling of the coupler stem in all directionsbeyond the limit as predetermined by the angular disposition of theconical surface.

A still further object of the invention is to simplify the constructionof the rear end of the coupler stem and the forward face of the frontfollower and to reduce the cost of manufacture and particularly thegauging of the surfaces of both the butt end of the coupler shank andthe forward face of the follower while improving the operationalfunctionsof the draft assembly.

Other and further objects and features of the invention will beappreciated and become apparent to those skilled in the railway couplerart as the present disclosure proceeds and upon consideration of theaccompanying drawg ings and the following detailed description whereinan exemplary embodiment of the invention is'disclosed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional plan view of the rear portion of a coupler stemand a follower therefor exhibiting the invention taken on the horizontalcenter line of the draft rigging and showing the cooperation of theparts in limiting free horizontal swiveling of the coupler.

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view showing the position of the partswhen the coupler is swiveled horizontally beyond the unrestrainedlimits.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the butt end of a coupler stem embodying theinvention.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view showing the profile of the rear endportion of the coupler stem.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the butt of the coupler stem.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the forward face of a followerexhibiting invention and designed for cooperation with the coupler stem.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the follower.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the front follower.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of two couplers exhibiting theinvention with parts of their draft riggings shown in section andillustrating the development of advantageous resultant forces.

Fig. 10 is a similar 'view depicting the undesired resultant forces withprior couplers and draft attachments therefor.

The invention is directed to the construction of the butt end of thestem of a railway coupler which produces a number of desirable resultsand the invention further relates to the'structure shape of the forwardface of the front follower which cooperates with the butt end of thecoupler to provide for the development of downward acting force on thebody of a railway vehicle when it is at a higher level than anotherrailway vehicle body during a coupling operation and the butt end andthe follower further serve to retard swiveling of the coupler after alimited extent of free angling and further provides for a simplificationof the structure thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and reducingthe gauging operations at the butt end of the stem and the forward faceof the follower while improving the operational functions of the draftrigging.

Referring to the drawings there is shown at 11 the stem of a coupler ofthe interlocking type provided with a butt end embodying the invention.This portion of the coupler is normally accommodated in the striker 12having walls 14 and 16 defining the horizontal extremities of theopening in the striker casting. All parts and structural features of thedraft rigging are of conventional design and construction except for thebutt end of the coupler stem 11 and the forward face of the frontfollower shown at 17 and the characteristics of these elements whichprovide new results will be appreciated as the disclosure proceeds.

The butt end of an existing interlocking coupler for freight service hasbeen provided with cylindrical surfaces generated about a horizontalaxis coinciding with the center line of the coupler shank. The butt endof a coupler embodying the present invention is devoid of suchcylindrical surfaces but includes the conventional centrally disposedspherical surface portion 18 which provides a rearwardly projectingconvex surface. An important difference of the butt end structure of thepresent invention pertains to the character and disposition of theshoulder or surface 19 around the convex spherical portion 18. Theshoulder 19 is continuous around the spherical portion 18 and thissurface 19 is arranged generally transversely of the center line of thecoupler stem 11. The surface providing the shoulder 19 is of conicalshape, the vertex of which is located on the center lineof the couplingstem 1 1 with the apex disposed forwardly of the rearrnost center of thespherical surface 18. In the embodiment illustrated the vertex of thecone about which the surface forming the shoulder 19 is generated isdisposed on the center line of the coupler stem forwardly of therearmost portion of the spherical surface 18 by one-half an inch. Theconical surface 19 arranged around the perimeter of the sphericalsurface 18 is disposed so as to slope four degrees from a vertical planethrough the apex of the cone in all directions forwardly from thevertex. Such an angular disposition of the surface providing theshoulder 19 is indicated in Fig. 3.

The cylindrical surfaces previously provided on the butt end of thestern of an interlocking coupler for freight car service are notemployed in the present invention and the areas indicated at 23 in Fig.are of conical shape as hereinabove described and form part of thecontinuous shoulder 19 about the perimeter of the convex sphericalportion 18. The generally transverse surface forming the shoulder 19 ismore conveniently formed in a manufacturing operation and gauging of thepreviously employed cylindrical surfaces on the butt end of the stem isno longer necessary. The conical surface forming the shoulder 19 forms astructural characteristic which contributes to new results and desiredfunctions in operation of the coupler as hereinafter described. Thecoupler stem 11 in other respects remains unaltered and is. adapted forcooperation with the yoke 15 and yoke pin in a conventional and knownmanner.

The forward face of the front follower 17 is designed for cooperationwith the butt end hereinabove described and differs from the prior frontfollower in that the two cylindrical concave seats previously employedare no longer necessary and are avoided. A front follower embodying theinvention includes a spherical shaped cavity or seat 26, for receivingthe spherical convex portion 18 on the butt end of the coupler stem 11so as to provide for vertical and horizontal angling of the coupler. Thefollower 17 is provided with a surface 27 which is arranged in a singleplane and surrounds the spherical concave seat or cavity 26. The surface27 is arranged at right angles to the center line of the draft riggingand is disposed forwardly of the rearmost portion of the spherical seat26. 27 is disposed one-half an inch forwardly from, the bottom of thecavity 26 as measured along the center line of thedraft rigging. Thefront follower 17 is arranged transversely of the draft rigging betweenthe resilient draft gear diagrammatically shown at 29 in Fig. 1 and thefront draft lugs 31. The flat plane surface 27 normally lies in a planeat right angles to the center line of the draft rigging. Other portionsof the front follower are like those of the prior devices including arear face substantially parallel to the front surface 27.

In operation and when one railway vehicle equipped with a coupler havinga butt end on the stem thereof as herein disclosed is mounted inassociation with the follower described aud the vehicle body is empty orar- In the embodiment illustrated the surface.

ranged at a high elevation its coupler is supported by a coupler carrierof a known type such as shown at 32 in Fig. 9. Even in the absence ofthe coupler carrier the coupler shown at the left in Fig. 9 is free toangle downwardly only until the conical surface forming the shoulder 19and that area thereof below the spherical convex portion 18 engages theplane flat surface 27 of the front follower in the area under thespherical cavity 26. The coupler stem 11 is also free to angle upwardlyuntil the conical surface 19 in area above the spherical portion 18engages the flat face 27 on the front follower. In the embodimentdisclosed the free downward or upward angling of the coupler stem 11 ispermitted during swiveling of two inches of the coupler from thelongitudinal center line of the draft rigging as measured at thecoupling line. Thereafter any further downward or upward swingingmovement of the coupler head is restrained by engagement of the lower orupper area of the conical shoulder 19 with corresponding portions of thefiat surface 27 of the front follower.

The butt end on the coupler stem 11 and the forward face of the frontfollower shaped as herein disclosed permits initial free horizontalangling of the coupler without restraint. In the specific embodimentdisclosed the coupler may swing laterally a distance of two inchesmeasured along the coupling line from the center line of the draftrigging before a lateral portion 34 of the conical shoulder 19 engages acorresponding portion of the surface 27 on the front follower. Such aposition of the parts is shown in Fig. l. The coupler stem may beswiveled horizontally to a greater angular position until the side 36 ofthe coupler stem engages the wall surface 14 of the striker as shown inFig. 2. During such additional horizontal angling of the coupler thefrontfollower 17 is cammed to an angular position as shown in Fig. 2 byengagement of the outer extremity of the conical surface 19 with the,fiat face 27 of the follower and in the area indicated at 37. Duringswinging movement of the coupler stem horizontally beyond the positionshown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 the reaction of theresilient draft gear 29 yieldably resist horizontal swinging of thecoupler. In the particular embodiment disclosed the horizontal anglingof the coupler in the position shown in Fig. 2 amounts to six andonehalf inches as measured at the coupling line.

An important advantageous result is obtained when two couplers and draftappliances of the type herein disclosed are moved towards a position formating the couplers. The coupler and draft rigging shown at the left inFig. 9 represents the position of these parts when carried by a railwayvehicle having its body located at a higher level than the car bodyequipped with the draft rigging and coupler exhibiting the invention andshown at the right in Fig. 9. When the two vehicles arranged indifferent elevations as depicted have relative movementtowards eachother in carrying out a coupling operation the force derived from suchmomentum is along the line 41 in the direction of the arrows 42 and 43of Fig. 9. When the centers of the spherical seats 26 are displacedvertically sufficiently this force is taken in the area 38 at the rightin Fig. 9 and in the area 46 at the left in Fig. 9. on the shoulders 19of the coupler stems 11 where, they contact the flat surfaces 27 of thefront followers. A resultant force is developed directed downwardly asshown by the arrow 47 at the left in Fig. 9 which urges the draftrigging and the sill structure carried by the vehicle body downwardly.The other resulting force indicated by the arrow 48 is directed upwardlyas shown at the right in Fig. 9. The resultant force 48 acts upwardly onthe draft rigging and the body sills of the vehicle body occupying thelower level. Since the resultant 47 is directed downwardly a force isdeveloped to move the car body having the higher level positiondownwardly and thereby avoids lifting it from its truck.

These new results will be further appreciated and understood byconsideration of Fig. wherein the butt ends of the stems of the couplersand the front followers are of a prior type. In this arrangement theenergy provided by movement of one or both of the vehicles in carryingout a mating of the couplers creates a force which is along the line 51in the directions of the arrows 52 and 53. This kinetic energy developsresultant forces which are directed in undesirable directions when thecenter lines of the couplers are vertically displaced by three inches.One resulting force indicated by the arrow 54 is upwardly on the vehiclebody which is arranged at the higher level. The other resultant forceindicated by the arrow 56 is downwardly in its action on the loaded caror the vehicle body located at the lower level. When the resultant force54 is sufiiciently large the sill structure at the left in Fig. 10 andthe body of the vehicle is lifted to such an extent as to free the bodyfrom the truck.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificstructural features and with regard to specific angular disposition anddimensions of certain surfaces it will be appreciated that changes maybe made in the details as well as the organization. Such modificationsand others may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. The features may be incorporated in couplers and draftriggings for service other than freight hauling.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In a railway draft rigging, a coupler and a stem therefor, a butt endon said stem having a centrally disposed rearwardly directed convexspherical surface portion and a shoulder forming the rear end of saidstem around said spherical portion arranged generally transversely ofthe center line of the stem, said shoulder being of conical formationand inclined forwardly in proceeding radially outwardly from theperimeter of said spherical portion, a follower adjacent said butt end,said follower having a spherical cavity in a forward face receiving saidspherical portion, and a forward surface on said follower surroundingsaid spherical cavity arranged in a single plane substantially at rightangles to the axis of the draft rigging.

2. In a railway draft rigging, a couplerand a stem therefor, a butt endon said stem including a rearwardly directed convex spherical surfaceportion and a generally transverse surface around said spherical surfaceportion, said surface being of conical formation in all areas radiallyoutward of said spherical portion and inclined forwardly in proceedingoutwardly from the perimeter of said spherical portion, a front followerhaving a spherical cavity therein receiving said spherical portion, anda forward surface on the follower surrounding said spherical cavityarranged in a single plane substantially at right angles to the axis ofthe draft rigging.

3. In a railway draft rigging, a coupler including a stem, a surfaceforming part of the rear end of said stern arranged generallytransversely of the center line of the stem, said surface being ofconical formation with the vertex thereof on the center line of saidstem, said surface being inclined forwardly in proceeding outwardlytowards the top and the sides and the bottom of the stem, a sphericalconvex portion having its center on the center line of said stem andprojecting rearwardly beyond said surface, a front follower having aspherical concave cavity therein receiving said spherical convexportion, and a forward surface on the front follower surrounding saidspherical cavity arranged in a single plane substantially at rightangles to the axis of the draft rigging.

4. In a draft rigging according to claim 3, wherein the vertex for saidsurface is disposed forwardly of the rear end of the spherical convexportion.

5. In a draft rigging according to claim 3, wherein the surface ofconical formation is inclined at an angle of about four degrees withreference to a plane disposed at right angles to the center line of thecoupler stem.

6. In a draft rigging according to claim 3, wherein the surface ofconical formation is inclined at the same angle with reference to aplane disposed at right angles to the center line of the coupler stem asthe required angle of free swivel of the coupler stem.

7. In a draft rigging according to claim 3, wherein the apex of saidsurface is located approximately one-half inch forwardly of the rear endof the spherical convex portion.

8. In a draft rigging according to claim 3, wherein the apex of saidsurface is located substantially in the plane of the forward surface onthe front follower.

9. In a draft rigging according to claim 3, wherein the surface ofconical formation is inclined at an angle of about four degrees withreference to a plane disposed at right angles to the center line of thecoupler stem, and the apex of said surface is disposed one-half inchforwardly of the rear end of said spherical convex portion.

10. A butt end construction for the stem of a railway couplercomprising, a convex spherical portion projecting rearwardly from thestem, and a shoulder surrounding said spherical portion of conicalformation with the surface thereof inclined forwardly of the couplerstem in proceeding outwardly from the perimeter of said sphericalportion in all radial directions.

11. A butt end construction for the stem of a railway couplercomprising, a surface arranged generally transversely of said stem atthe rear end thereof, said surface being of conical formation inclinedforwardly of the coupler stem in proceeding outwardly towards the sidesand top and bottom of the stem, and a spherical portion on the stemhaving its center aligned with the axis of the stem and a convex areaprojecting rearwardly from said surface.

12. A butt end construction for a railway car coupler according to claim10, wherein the vertex about which the surface of conical formation isgenerated coincides with the axis of the coupler stem.

13. A butt end construction for a according to claim 11, wherein thevertex about which the surface of conical formation is generatedcoincides wtih the axis of the couplex stem and is disposed forwardly ofthe rear end of the convex area.

14. A front follower for a railway draft rigging com prising, a platemember, a rear face on said member, a continuous forward surface on saidmember substantially parallel to said rear face and lying in a singleplane, said forward surface having a concave cavity 'of segmentalspherical shape within a central portion thereof, and the area of themouth of said cavity measured at the plane of said surface being lessthan the area of said surface.

15. A front follower for a railway draft rigging comprising, a platemember, a rear face on said member, a continuous forward surface on saidmember substantially parallel to said rear face and lying in a singleplane, said forward surface having a concave cavity of segmentalspherical shape within a central portion thereof, the area of the mouthof said cavity measured at the plane of said surface being less than thearea of said surface, and said surface being disposed approximatelyone-half an inch forwardly of the deepest portion of said cavity.

railway car coupler References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,327,240 Barrows et al Aug. 17, 1943 2,589,264 KinneM211. 18, 1952 2,812,072 Blattner NOV. 5, 1957

